Thursday, June 17, 2010

Why is My Business Card Ineffective?

Have you been giving out your custom business cards but you do not seem to get a phone call? Did you spend a significant amount of money for business card printing only to find that no one really cares to look at them? Are you having difficulty giving out your custom business cards altogether? There are several ways why a business card can fail. This usually relates to you, the business card holder yourself, or the look and feel of your business card. Here we have collected several common reasons why people ignore your business cards, or throw them out altogether. Try to see where you got it wrong.

Poor Business card etiquette: The most common reason why business cards get thrown out is because of poor business card etiquette. Some people might not know it but there is more to giving business cards than just whipping it out and giving it to people like a flier. Give your business cards in good taste, and for a reason. When you encounter a possible business contact, be friendly and ask about them. Do not just give them your business card. Explore each others interests first, especially in business. If something comes up that is related to your field then it is a good time to introduce yourself as someone who wants to do business and give them your business card. This way you establish a real relationship with the color business card as the bridge.

Internationally, there are also some important business card etiquette reminders you should follow. In general, when you are giving your business cards, also ask if the receiver has his or her own business card at hand. This way it tells them that you care for making a contact and not marketing yourself. Also in some countries a specific gesture must be made to give business cards. In Japan for example, your business card is your honor. It is presented with both hands carefully, with a small bow to denote respect. Whipping out your full color business card and just casually handing it over is a sign of ill manners. Make sure that when you visit another country you know business card customs like this to prevent from appearing a rude or ignorant foreigner. Business card etiquette is just as important as the card itself so don't forget about them.

Incomplete, Outdated or Dubious details Some people, on the rush to print business cards do not check the details and the fine print. A common reason why business cards fail is that the details contained in the business card is wrong. For example, if your company suddenly moves to a new location, or you suddenly changed phone or fax numbers your business card details are automatically invalid. When people attempt to contact you again, they will fail to reach you. People might think that your business card might be a bit dubious and throw it away. Even if it is only a little change, always update your business card design with new details and print business cards again for distribution. This ensures its integrity. Make sure that the pertinent contact details like the telephone number, mobile phone number, address, web page URL and email address are included with your name and title as you print your designs again. Stop being cute.

Uninspired Design If you used a simple business card template for your card design then that might be the reason why your business card is failing. Uninspired designs are a mark of laziness when it comes to business card printing. Your design must be eye-catching, easily noticeable and if possible have a picture of you, or an image if your business. This helps people remember you card based on its design. Plain business cards are hardly interesting and would probably end up in the trash.

Substandard material Lastly, try to print your business cards made with durable materials. Picking out the cheapest paper to print your business card is totally the wrong decision to make. People place business cards in different places like their wallets, drawers, handbags etc. Besides the usual wear and tear, accidents may happen and business cards can degrade or fade over time. If your business cards become shabby after only a short amount of time, some people might not consider contacting their owners. Always invest in the best material you can afford so that your business cards last well in the years.

Those are the reasons why your business card can fail. Sound familiar? If they do, then you have something t o improve upon before the next opportunity for giving your business cards. Keep a steady head and make those cards fly!

By: Lynne Saarte
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/why-is-my-business-card-ineffective-713557.html